Fluctuating heater temperature

[Rían P]

Hi all!

Was driving the car to and from the town today, with about 6 hours between each journey, and at times I had problems with the air coming from the heater.

Basicaly, I love the heat, and so anytime I'm in the car it's on full blast. Well today, quite often when I was on the dual carriageway, and going into the town, the heater was blowing really warm air at one point then blowing cold air the next. The temp gauge would rise then fall again also, reaching about mid way, if not more.

Does anyone have any idea why this would be?

Thanks in advance,
Rían P

[stanc3w0rks]

Heater matrix could be air locked? Thermostat could be on the way out? Just my opinion.

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[Rían P]

Hmm fair enough. What would block a heater matrix and do you know if it's a big job?
Is a thermostat big hassle?

[stanc3w0rks]

Replacing a heater matrix is a bit annoying in a Corsa. Bleeding it is easy. Thermostat is pretty simple. To bleed heater matrix you just take off the outlet pipe on the matrix in the engine bay while the filler cap is on and the car is running. Obviously don't let too much of the water run out of it while its running. Wait until you get some advice of someone who can confirm what is causing your problem as I'm just saying what I would guess first.

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[johnny]

Could be a dieing water pump, best is to get it to a garage so they can test it because if it is the water pump you want it changed before it fails

[stanc3w0rks]

Didn't even think of that [emoji106]

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[Rían P]

Could be a dieing water pump, best is to get it to a garage so they can test it because if it is the water pump you want it changed before it fails

The car is only on 60,000 miles, would that make any difference? Do water pumps have a short lifespan?

[stanc3w0rks]

Isn't 60k when you meant to do timing belt and water pump?

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[johnny]

Water pumps can do big miles when the engine is properly serviced but in my experience there's very few 15 year old cars have been kept up the entire time

Like Stance said 50-60k miles or 5-6 years so it's not just milage parts corrode when not in use

[stanc3w0rks]

I'd nearly go as far to say that leaving a car parked up for 2 years is worse than driving it for 2 years without servicing it.

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[Rían P]

Ah ok. She's a 1.2 16v so is, as far as I know, is belt driven. Is it the same time interval for change?

And I'd totally agree Stance, two years sitting will see brakes cease up, and parts corrode. Driving for 2 years wothout a service is probably the lesser of the two evils here.

[stanc3w0rks]

16v is timing chain so should last longer than a belt. Not sure how long tbh but someone will chime in here.
My car was parked up for 5 months out of gear with the handbrake down and the brakes were seized solid!

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[coupe77]

They say a chain is good for 100k but never seen one last that long



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[johnny]

I've a 1.2 16v with 136000 miles on original chain [emoji38] was well looked after chain has no signs of wear what so ever, oil was changed every 5000 miles which is key for a chain

Gm chain engines love a good thick oil

[stanc3w0rks]

The 1.2 16v I just pulled out has 80 something thousand on it and the chains a bit rattley. Do ya want a spare engine Johnny? [emoji14] haha

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